Madrid, February 9 – The Bank of Spain is planning to establish a financial education center and a training center for its staff in Madrid. The chosen location is the historic Quinta de Torres Arias, the former residence of Countess Tatiana Pérez de Guzmán el Bueno y Seebacher, located in the San Blas-Canillejas district.
Bank of Spain Seeks to Reinvigorate Historic Mansion
The 16th-century estate, which the aristocrat bequeathed to the Madrid City Council with the condition that it be used for cultural and public interest purposes, has seen its park opened to the public since 2017. However, the mansion and its stables have remained closed. The institution, led by Governor José Luis Escrivá, has requested the cession of the property from the City Council, offering to cover all rehabilitation and maintenance costs for this non-profit educational mission.
This initiative is part of the Bank of Spain’s Strategic Plan until 2030, which emphasizes financial education. The project draws inspiration from similar centers in other European central banks, such as the Museum of Economics in France and the money museums in Italy and Germany. Its primary goal is to educate the public on fundamental aspects of the financial system, banknotes, coins, and the general functioning of the economy.
Interactive Museum and Workshops for Children
The proposed center will feature an interactive museum focusing on coins and money, along with workshops specifically designed for children. This is a separate endeavor from the previously announced museum at the Cibeles square building, which will showcase the bank’s artistic heritage. The landscaped areas of Quinta de Torres Arias will remain under municipal responsibility and accessible to the general public.
Currently, the Bank of Spain operates a Financial Education Plan with 400 collaborators, including entities like the banking association AEB, the Red Cross, and OCU. However, it lacks a dedicated center. The new facility is envisioned to host students, high school teachers, senior citizen organizations, and economic conferences and events.
Internal Training Center for Bank Staff
In addition to public education, the project includes an internal training center for Bank of Spain personnel. While still in its early stages, this center would provide a new system for staff and prospective candidates to study and prepare for selection processes. This aligns with the ‘Talent’ section of the strategic plan, which views training as crucial for the professional development of all Bank of Spain employees.
Discussions between the Bank of Spain and the Madrid City Council have been ongoing for several months and have now entered the formal administrative process. Local government sources have stated that the City Council is evaluating the proposal, as it does with all projects it receives.
Alternative Locations Considered
The Bank of Spain initially considered establishing the Financial Education Center at its building at 522 Alcalá Street, which currently houses technology, data, cash, and vault teams. However, the Torres Arias option, located just four minutes away, was prioritized due to its unique character and the surrounding public park, which the institution believes will foster greater public engagement. Its proximity to Barajas Airport also makes it an ideal venue for international conferences and meetings.
Significant Investment in Rehabilitation
The complex underwent an initial rehabilitation for safety purposes when it came under municipal management. The budget for the current project, to be financed by the Bank of Spain, has not yet been finalized, but the renovation costs could amount to approximately 20 million euros. Some activities, such as catering services, are expected to be offered through concessions to external companies.
If municipal approval is granted, the Bank of Spain aims to inaugurate the center between late 2029 and early 2030, aligning with the timeframe of its Strategic Plan. The Bank of Spain has requested a patrimonial concession, a legal mechanism that allows public administration to authorize the private, exclusive, or special use of public domain assets for a maximum of 75 years. Under this arrangement, the property remains publicly owned, but the concessionaire assumes all operating expenses and the costs of rehabilitation and conservation. Madrid currently has over a hundred properties granted under patrimonial concessions, including several to UNED, the University of Alcalá de Henares, Casa de América, and the Prado Museum.
Tatiana Pérez de Guzmán el Bueno, born in San Sebastián in 1923, grew up in Madrid before moving to the Torres Arias estate upon her marriage to physicist Julio Peláez Avendaño. She resided there until shortly before her death. According to her foundation, it was there that they both developed their love for nature and lived with discretion and austerity. If this project comes to fruition, her former home will embark on a new chapter.
